but now as michelle miller stills us, they're being told think again. >> reporter: roman and mar yain-- marianna bediner staten island home was flooded by 11 feet of water when sandy struck. >> how high did the water come in? >> the water went through the ceiling on to the first floor. >> reporter: they had flood insurance through fema, the federal emergency management agency, that's kpon for people who live in flood zones. they thought the inspector from fema would give them a check to repair $100,000 in damages. >> the first floor where you are standing now is definitely not covered by the flood policy. >> reporter: why? >> this neighborhood is considered to be in the flood zone. >> reporter: under fema's flood insurance program, the first floor of a house such as the bediners should be used for parking or storage only. furnaces and water heaters are covered but finished walls, floors and furniture are not. >> the water was up to here. >> reporter: that caught the bediners and other homeowners we met by surprise. >> this is the sole reason to pay these premiums every single month, y